Tinea Capitis

Abstract

Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the scalp. This disease is primarily caused by dermatophytes that invade the hair shaft. The clinical appearance is typically single or multiple lesions of hair loss that may be accompanied by inflammation, scaling, and pustules. The incidence in girls and females overall has recently increased, although many boys were previously affected. Trichophyton or Microsporum species of dermatophytes transmitted by humans or animals are commonly associated with this disease. The treatment requires an oral antifungal agent such as itraconazole or terbinafine.